Pubdate: Tue, 27 Dec 2005
Source: Dickson Herald, The (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Dickson Herald
Contact:  http://www.dicksonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1998
Author: Kate Howard, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

GO ONLINE TO SEE IF NEIGHBOR MADE METH

TBI Searchable Registry Lists Convicted Offenders

If you're wondering whether anyone in your neighborhood is involved in 
methamphetamine manufacturing, there's now a Web site to search for 
convicted meth offenders.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation last week made a searchable "Meth 
Offender Registry" available at http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/methor. The 
Web site lists by name and by county anyone convicted in Tennessee of 
charges related to manufacturing meth, a highly addictive stimulant that's 
often made in homemade "labs" using dangerous combinations of household 
chemicals.

The database was created at the recommendation of a statewide meth task 
force, said Jennifer Johnson, spokeswoman for the TBI.

"The general idea is to let people know who is making meth in their homes," 
Johnson said.

The information can be valuable to landlords who want to know whether a 
potential renter has a history with the drug, or residents who want to be 
sure their neighborhoods are safe.

"People who make meth are a hazard not only to themselves, but to others 
around, due to the volatility of those chemicals," Johnson said. "People in 
rural areas may want to check out a neighbor."

The Meth-Free Tennessee Act of 2005 was signed into law earlier this year 
by Gov. Phil Bredesen. A major component of the law required pharmacies to 
move products containing pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient of many cold 
medicines, behind the counter. Pseudoephedrine is also an important 
ingredient in making meth.

Johnson said the TBI also hopes the registry will serve as a deterrent, 
keeping people from getting involved with meth. The state's public sex 
offender registry, which is also on the Internet, has been embarrassing 
enough that some potential offenders have said it was a deterrent, Johnson 
said.

"Being on this registry is certainly embarrassing, but, of course, some 
people won't be deterred by anything," Johnson said. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D